In Silico Structural and Functional Characterization of HtrA Proteins of Leptospira spp.: Possible Implications in Pathogenesis

Author(s)

Daroz, Brenda Bevilaqua ^{[1, 2]} ; Virgilio Fernandes, Luis Guilherme ^[1] ; Teixeira, Aline Florencio ^[1] ; Tabet Oller Nascimento, Ana Lucia ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Inst Butantan, Lab Especial Desenvolvimento Vacinas, BR-05503000 Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[2] Inst Ciencias Biomed, Programa Posgrad Interunidades Biotecnol, BR-05508900 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE; v. 5, n. 4 DEC 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis caused by the pathogenic bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The identification of conserved outer membrane proteins among pathogenic strains is a major research target in elucidating mechanisms of pathogenicity. Surface-exposed proteins are most probably the ones involved in the interaction of leptospires with the environment. Some spirochetes use outer membrane proteases as a way to penetrate host tissues. HtrA is a family of proteins found in various cell types, from prokaryotes to primates. They are a set of proteases usually composed of a serine protease and PDZ domains, and they are generally transported to the periplasm. Here, we identified four genes-annotated as HtrA, LIC11111, LIC20143, LIC20144 and LIC11037-and another one annotated as a serine protease, LIC11112. It is believed that the last forms a functional heterodimer with LIC11111, since they are organized in one operon. Our analyses showed that these proteins are highly conserved among pathogenic strains. LIC11112, LIC20143, and LIC11037 have the serine protease domain with the conserved catalytic triad His-Asp-Ser. This is the first bioinformatics analysis of HtrA proteins from Leptospira that suggests their proteolytic activity potential. Experimental studies are warranted to elucidate this possibility. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/21959-8 - Evaluation of the functional role of HtrA-like proteins present in pathogenic strains by creating mutants of Leptospira biflexa and Leptospira interrogans
• Grantee: Brenda Daroz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 17/06731-8 - Application of CRISPR-interference for elucidating leptospirosis pathogenesis and development of novel strategies for knockout mutant's obtainment
• Grantee: Luis Guilherme Virgílio Fernandes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 16/11541-0 - Evaluation of the vaccine potential of antigenic fractions obtained in Leptospira interrogans serovar Copenhageni using hamsters as an animal model
• Grantee: Aline Florencio Teixeira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 14/50981-0 - Search for surface proteins among the genome sequences of Leptospira interrogans: functional and immunological characterization to understanding mechanisms involved in the bacterial pathogenesis
• Grantee: Ana Lucia Tabet Oller do Nascimento
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants